My Whole Family's positive view of the world. » Getaways for Parents.

Being a good student can be fun too.

Marcy McCann — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 11:46:10 +0000

For P&G, it began with a Super Bowl ad last February that introduced its brand character, the Old Spice Man. Played by shirtless baritone Isaiah Mustafa, a handsome, former NFL wide receiver with a polished comedic sense of timing and washboard abs, the Old Spice Man promised women he was “the man your man could smell like,” even if no man could ever be as truly manly as The Old Spice Man.

Good people doing good things. Sing for Hope project.

Marcy McCann — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 13:29:24 +0000

The Internet is a place I love to spend a few minutes of each day. I travel to far off lands, see inventions first hand, look deep into the human structure, and find that the good being done far outweighs the negative events thrust in our faces each day.

Why is it that the mainstream media chooses to present natural acts of nature as devastating as never before? Why is “Child dies in fire.” in some obscure town making headlines on CNN or other major news outlets? Sure it is important to the family and friends of the victim and to humanity as a whole, but it happens many times over throughout the course of life. It is a given, like car accidents and snow storms so why are those things the focus of our top stories?

By reading only those stories one would think that life is only about grief, greed and graft. What should be celebrated and thrust before us each day are the stories of the millions of positive things happening around the globe. The volunteers building homes for working poor, the doctors traveling to underdeveloped nations, the artists and musicians who bring delight to the masses.

Today I ran across something on CNN that I hope you will share with your friends either through linking to this page or directly to the StreetPianos.com. Pianos in public spaces across the globe positioned for the passerby to play as he or she wishes. It is amazing how we often overlook the many talented people that we know in our everyday lives. This program gives people a public forum to share that talent with all of us.

Watch the videos. I guarantee they will make you smile.

An Wine female carpenter speaks with Marcy McCann

Marcy McCann — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 02:41:05 +0000

Monday and Tuesday is the time to catch my interview with An Wine a delightful and talented woman with exceptional carpentry skills. We discuss the influence our fathers had on our lives and how An’s childhood experiences have developed into a full time business. An is also an accomplished artist who adds humor to her paintings and includes carpentry to each piece.

Catch us on WSVG 790AM from 6 until 10 in the mornings and on WAMM 1230AM at 11:30AM. You can hear this and all my interviews by visiting WSVGRadion.com

Don’t forget to check out all the beautiful limited edition aircraft, nature and nautical posters on LtdPrints.com and used the coupon code WSVG to receive a discount.

Books for stepchildren can be found at MyWholeFamily.com or on Amazon.com

King Street Art Works welcomes public to ribbon cutting and gallery opening.

Marcy McCann — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 02:13:40 +0000

For the past three months artists and art lovers have come together to create the first professional art collective and gallery in Strasburg. King Street Art Works or KSAW as it is being called is across from Cristina’s Cafe another art lover’s stop along historic Route 11. Twenty Five artists from Winchester to Staunton have brought an eclectic selection of paintings, pottery, fabric arts and jewelry into the newly decorated space. Adding an international flair artists from Russia and Germany bring a special look. In fact Valentina Dimilo a Russian Batikist sold the first piece before the doors are officially opened. The lovely Madonna and Child Batik wall hanging was sold to Richard Seelback of Bygones Antiques and Art just down the street after he visited during a recent morning stroll.

Linda L. Anderson whose mixed media work was featured in a recent article announcing the gallery’s formation is a professional exhibit installer. Ms. Anderson was hired to hang each member’s work to best showcase the pieces and tie the entire exhibit together. “Ms. Anderson was a Godsend” said Marcy McCann the inspiration behind the gallery. “She’s done a fabulous job bringing the various artist’s work together into a cohesive collection. The colors, textures and types of work create an feast for the eyes.” she said.

Diane Artz Furlong a life long native of Strasburg said “I’ve been waiting my whole life for this gallery to open. Painting is something I’ve done since my teens and now to be part of this makes me very proud.” It was Diane who came up with the name King Street Art Works. And at this trendy and hip little gallery she is right. King Street “art works” to enliven your soul, makes your spirit dance and will add excitement to your walls.

Ribbon cutting will be followed by the doors opening for the first time. The gallery will be open Thursday, through Monday from 10 AM until 6 PM with the exception of Sunday when it will be open from 11 AM until 7 PM. Call 465-3878 or KSAW234@gmail.com for more information.

KSAW is located in the shared space with LtdPrints.com.

Drumming with Kester a new radio interview.

Marcy McCann — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 20:06:10 +0000

Drumming with Kester… a new radio interview coming soon on WSVG 790AM and 1230AM. The music is delightful, hypnotic and energizing. The chat is informative and enlightening. And to my surprise Kester had me pounding out a tune in no time even after I had denied having rhythm.

Of course she claimed “Everyone of our generation knows We Will Rock You!” And I did. It was great fun chatting with her. She explained the dynamics of the jimbay drum and its origins and then made the drums wail. Had me dancing in the groove there for a few minutes.

Kester agreed to be the featured musician at my annual Strasburg Mayfest Parade Party that I began when I chaired the parade for a couple of years. It was a great way of enticing people to be in the parade. Serving up some Nathan’s Hot Dogs and having great music has been our gig ever since.

Kester will facilitate Drumming at Mayfest for LtdPrints.com

Drop by LtdPrints.com’s studio and the new King Street Art Work! gallery that shares space in this great 190 year old building.

Art co-op in Strasburg invites artists to join.

Marcy McCann — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 18:42:41 +0000

“King Street Art Works” is in the budding stages and is inviting artists to join us from the ground up!

We are looking for artists interested in participating in a new juried art venture in Strasburg, VA so we invite you to view the gallery space on Sunday March 7th at 2 PM.

There will be a info session with a guest who has already started a gallery co-op within our region. Refreshments will be provided by Cristina’s Cafe across from the new art space.

Several local artists have been working hard to make this happen. We look forward to working with artists who produce high quality art and are excited about ways to reach the art buying public.

Location: 234 West King Street, Strasburg, VA
Time: 2 PM
Date: Sunday March 7th
Contact: Marcy McCann Marcy@LtdPrints.com or 540-664-8028
Refreshments: provided by Cristina’s Cafa

Musical gifts of Patrick Henry Hughes. Uplifting stories of successful Human beings.

Marcy McCann — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 15:31:00 +0000

“The sound of potential.” In this uplifting segment you will find a lesson that you may want to share with those around you. Patrick Hughes with the help of his parents overcomes what at first seems like adversity only to discover a talent that out measures that of the less challenged. I hope you will share this link to inspire all your friends and family. It certainly inspired me.

Don’t forget to shop for books for children at MyWholeFamily.com.

Hook A Kid On Golf

Marcy McCann — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 17:25:26 +0000

This just in via a Press Release from my friend Steve Wood at the Shenandoah County Parks and Recreation.

Register your child into the Hook A Kid On Golf 2010 today. This is a great program to introduce your child to golf and learn how to drive, putt, chip, and much more. Each participant will receive a golf bag, 4-clubs, and more.

To be eligible to participate, you must be between the ages of 8 and 13, have never played golf, and not own a set of golf clubs.

DAYS / DATES M – F July 12 – 16

LOCATION Shenvalee Golf Resort New Market

COST $163.00

Deadline for Registration and Payment: Friday, June 11.

There is a limited space available —– register and pay today.

Golf course posters from Ltdprints.com

For addition information, contact Shenandoah County Parks & Recreation at 540-984-3030.

http://www.scpr.info (General Website)

Don’t forget to checkout the books for children on MyWholeFamily.com.

Empire State Building a vidid part of the Wicks’ family history.

Marcy McCann — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 20:37:57 +0000

Although you won’t find his name listed as a member of the construction team, my grandfather Edward Wicks did in fact help build the 1,252 – foot Empire State Building. I have photos to prove it as they say. When I was very young I was shown a photo that looks so much like the one on the back of the book I own that was edited by Carol Willis that I could swear one of those guys is my grandfather. My father Doug Wicks Sr. said “No.” when I asked him to ID the man so I have to trust his judgement. BUT on the other hand my sassy self says “It looks like him to me.”

From what I recall grandpa was a metal worker who installed bronze on the windows and even on the top of the building. There was some sort of difference of opinion between my grandfather and his employer so somehow his name was omitted from the list. That is family lore that I would love to verify. My uncle Ted Wicks worked high up on the building for about one day as I recall. I’ve seen that photo too. They we standing on the girders at who knows how high. Very high!

About 10 years ago, I went on a quest for more information and found a great book that lists every detail of the daily operation. How many pounds of this or that. How many windows, how many doors. How many trucks of concrete were poured each day. These are typed construction notes that were lost for decades. They would make great resource material for an architectural student even today.

The managers of the project even installed a commissary so that the laborers did not waste time leaving the site. It was if not the first, it was one of the first of its kind. The project is incredibly interesting considering they removed the Victorian era Waldorf-Astoria Hotel and completed construction all within an extraordinarily short time frame. Today we take almost that long to do the site prep work for a single family home. OK that is a slight exaggeration but still relatively speaking there are few projects that compare. The elaborate organization it took to build the Empire State Building was very well orchestrated.

So check out the book with the bright red cover or any of the many others that describe this feat in building the world’s first sky scraper.

Don’t forget to visit MyWholeFamily.com for children’s books. We have a few that we know you child will enjoy. Learn more about your families history by searching online.

Science teacher Coach John Brishcar’s adventure with weightlessness!

Marcy McCann — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 19:11:09 +0000

Some of us have a childhood dream and just wish it will come true. Others work to make it happen. Coach John Brishcar wanted to be an astronaut but his life took other turns. The road from aerospace engineer to science teacher allowed a part of his childhood dream to come true.

Weightlessness.

Coach John Brishcar science teacher talks with Marcy McCann

A Northrup Grumman program developed to excite teachers and thereby students allowed John to experience his dream.

Click on the link above to listen to all of Marcy’s interviews.

Amazing nonfiction for middle school, March 30, 2009
By L. K. Messner “Kate Messner”

Don’t forget to check out MyWholeFamily.com for books for children in blended families.